Course Description: This is an introductory course on the application of physical, chemical, behavioral, medical, and biological sciences to physical evidence used to explain or solve civil and/or criminal law cases. This course explores the collection, examination, evaluation, and interpretation of physical evidence. Emphasis is placed on lecture and demonstration.

Course Goals: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:

explain the history and development of forensic science;

evaluate what constitutes appropriate and admissible evidence in criminal investigation;

categorize the various types of evidence usually found at the scene of a crime and describe generally accepted methods of collection;

describe the types of forensic evidence currently allowed in both federal and state courts;

explain how fingerprint evidence is used in criminal cases;

explain the usefulness of nature and state of decomposition evidence in criminal cases;

explain how ballistic evidence is used in criminal cases;

explain how blood-related evidence is used in criminal cases;

explain how trace evidence is used in criminal cases;

demonstrate critical thinking skills within the context of evaluating the complexity of evidence issues; and